Trainable transceiver

ABSTRACT

A wireless control system for a vehicle includes a controller provided in a vehicle for controlling a vehicle component in response to a first signal transmitted from a first transmitter and a transceiver provided in the vehicle for receiving a second signal from a second transmitter. The second signal differs from the first signal. The transceiver is configured to transmit a third signal to the controller in response to the second signal, the third signal emulating at least a portion of the first signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/898,895, filed Jul. 26, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,221,256, which is aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/859,130,filed May 20, 1997, now abandoned, and a Continuation-in-Part ofInternational Application No. PCT/US03/38570, filed Dec. 4, 2003, nowexpired, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No.60/431,099 filed Dec. 5, 2002, the entire disclosures of each of theseapplications, including the specification and drawings, are expresslyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the field of trainabletransceivers for use with vehicles. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to trainable transceivers that are configured for usewith wireless vehicle control systems.

Wireless control systems may be provided in vehicles (e.g., automobiles,cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), mini-vans, or othervehicles) to provide remote control of vehicle components. Such wirelesscontrol systems may be provided with a vehicle as manufactured or may beinstalled subsequent to vehicle manufacture (e.g., as “aftermarket”components).

One known type of wireless control system is a remote keyless entry(“RKE”) system. An RKE system conventionally includes an RKE controllermounted within a vehicle and a transmitter that is carried by a vehicleowner or driver. The RKE controller includes a receiver adapted toreceive signals (e.g., radio frequency or “RF” signals) from one or moretransmitters. The transmitter may be implemented as a “key fob” devicethat includes a key ring to which auto, house, and other keys may beattached. RKE transmitters conventionally include a number of buttonsthat when pressed or activated cause the transmitters to transmitsignals to the RKE controller. Upon receipt of such signals, the RKEcontroller communicates with the appropriate vehicle component toperform a given function. For example, a transmitter may include “doorlock,” “door unlock,” and “trunk open” buttons that when pressed causethe transmitter to transmit signals to the RKE controller. The RKEcontroller then communicates with a door or trunk lock to perform thedesired function.

Conventional RKE systems have RKE controllers that only recognizesignals from compatible transmitters. For example, a vehiclemanufacturer may provide an RKE system with a vehicle that includes twoassociated transmitters. The RKE system may be programmed to onlyrecognize signals transmitted at a particular frequency or including aparticular data code (e.g., an 8-bit code or rolling code). Onedifficulty in this arrangement is that if a vehicle owner wishes to addor replace a transmitter, only transmitters compatible with the existingRKE system may be used. Such compatible transmitters may only beavailable from a limited number of sources, and may prevent the ownerfrom purchasing a relatively inexpensive aftermarket RKE transmitter touse with the existing RKE controller. Use of an aftermarket RKEtransmitter instead requires the removal of the existing RKE controllerand the installation of an aftermarket RKE controller compatible withthe aftermarket transmitter, which may be relatively difficult orexpensive for the vehicle owner.

Another difficulty with conventional RKE systems is that if atransmitter is lost or broken, the addition of a new transmitter mayrequire reprogramming of the RKE controller. For example, where twotransmitters are provided with an RKE system and one of the transmittersis lost, adding a new transmitter may require that the informationstored in the RKE controller memory for both of the transmitters beerased before the new transmitter (and the existing transmitter) signalscan be programmed. This may be a relatively complicated procedure thatrequires intervention by a mechanic or service technician. Suchintervention may result in added expense for a vehicle owner.

Yet another difficulty with conventional RKE systems is that RKEcontrollers may have a limited amount of memory for storing codes, suchthat only a limited number of controllers (e.g., four) may be used witha particular vehicle. It may be desirable to provide remote access to agreater number of individuals (e.g., for a fleet of vehicles) than canbe accomplished using a conventional RKE system.

Yet another difficulty with conventional RKE systems relates to theincreasing popularity of such systems. Where an individual has access toa number of vehicles (e.g., a family that has two or more vehicles thatare each equipped with RKE systems), multiple transmitters (e.g., keyfobs) must be carried with the individual if remote access to eachvehicle is desired. Individuals may find this arrangement undesirable,and may instead choose to carry only a transmitter for a primary vehicle(e.g., the vehicle the individual uses most) while using keys for othervehicles.

It would be advantageous to provide a remote control system for avehicle that is compatible with transmitters from a variety ofmanufacturers, (e.g., transmitters for different types of vehicles,aftermarket transmitters, etc.). It would also be advantageous toprovide a remote control system for a vehicle that is compatible withtransmitters emitting signals having a variety of frequencies, datacodes, modulations, and the like. It would also be advantageous toprovide a remote control system that may be relatively easily programmedto recognize additional transmitters and that does not requireintervention by a mechanic or service technician, and/or that does notrequire deletion of all stored codes before addition of a newtransmitter code. It would also be advantageous to provide a remotecontrol system that allows individuals with a single transmitter toremotely control a number of functions for a plurality of vehicles. Itwould also be advantageous to provide a remote control system that mayrecognize signals from any number of transmitters. It would also beadvantageous to provide a remote control system that allows control ofvarious functions in a vehicle using any of a variety of non-traditionaltransmitters (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, personal digitalassistants, etc.) that may transmit encoded signals (e.g., RF, infrared,Bluetooth, etc.). It would also be advantageous to provide a remotecontrol system that may be used with an existing RKE controller (e.g.,by communicating with the existing RKE controller) to provide one ormore of the aforementioned advantageous features. Additionaladvantageous features may become apparent to those of skill in the artreviewing the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment relates to a wireless control system for avehicle. The wireless control system includes a controller provided in avehicle for controlling a vehicle component in response to a firstsignal transmitted from a first wireless transmitter. The wirelesscontrol system also includes a transceiver provided in the vehicle forreceiving a second signal from a second wireless transmitter. The secondsignal differs from the first signal. The transceiver is configured totransmit a third signal to the controller in response to the secondsignal, the third signal emulating at least a portion of the firstsignal.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of controlling avehicle system. The method includes receiving a first signal from afirst wireless transmitter and in response to the first signal,transmitting a second signal to a controller configured to operate avehicle system in response to the second signal. The second signal isdifferent from the first signal. The first wireless transmitter may beused to operate the vehicle system without directly transmitting thesecond signal to the controller.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of programming avehicle keyless entry system to operate in response to signals receivedfrom multiple wireless transmitters. The method includes receiving afirst signal from a first wireless transmitter at a transceiver, thefirst signal configured to cause a controller to actuate vehicle doorlocks. The method also includes storing at least a portion of the firstsignal as an emulation signal. The method further includes receiving asecond signal from a second wireless transmitter at the transceiver, thesecond signal being different from the first signal. The method furtherincludes associating the second signal with the emulation signal suchthat upon receipt of the second signal, the transceiver transmits theemulation signal to the controller to cause the controller to actuatethe vehicle door locks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless system accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating components of a trainabletransceiver included in the wireless system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of programming atrainable transceiver according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless system 10 is shown according to anexemplary embodiment. A first vehicle 100 (e.g., an automobile, truck,sport utility vehicle (SUV), mini-van, or other vehicle) includes afirst controller 110 for controlling one or more functions in vehicle100. A second vehicle 200 includes a second controller 210 forcontrolling one or more functions in vehicle 200. Controllers 110 and210 include receivers for receiving wireless signals from transmitters120 and 220, respectively.

According to an exemplary embodiment, controllers 110 and 210 are partof remote keyless entry (RKE) systems that are configured to allow usersto remotely lock or unlock vehicle doors, trunks, and the like.According to other exemplary embodiments, controllers 110 and 210 mayallow users to remotely control a variety of other functions, such asopening or closing windows, sounding a horn, turning on or off lights,flashing lights, adjusting vehicle settings personalized to a particularuser (e.g., adjusting seat and mirror position, radio settings, heatingand air conditioning systems, etc.), arming/disarming a vehicle securitysystem, or any of a variety of other functions.

A first transmitter 120 is configured to wirelessly transmit signals tocontroller 110. A number of operator input devices 122, 124, and 126(e.g., buttons, switches, touch panels, fingerprint or other biometricreaders, etc.) are provided on transmitter 120 to allow a user toremotely control various functions provided by controller 110. Each ofinput devices 122, 124, and 126 are associated with a particularcommand. When an input device is activated, a signal is wirelesslytransmitted (e.g., via radio frequency, infrared, or other wirelessfrequency) from transmitter 120 to controller 110. For example,according to an exemplary embodiment, input device 122 is associatedwith an “unlock door” command, input device 124 is associated with a“lock door” command, and input device 126 is associated with an “opentrunk” command. A user coming within a predetermined range of vehicle100 may press any of input devices 122, 124, and 126 to transmit asignal from transmitter 120 to controller 110 representative of thecommand associated with the selected input device. Controller 110 thenreceives such signal and controls a vehicle component to perform theappropriate function (e.g., unlocking the doors, etc.), such as bysending a signal to the component by a wired or wireless connection.

A second transmitter 220 wirelessly transmits signals to controller 210in second vehicle 200. A number of operator input devices 222, 224, and226 are provided on transmitter 220 to allow a user to control variousfunctions provided by controller 210 (e.g., the controller may controlone or more vehicle components similar to the manner described abovewith respect to controller 110). Transmitter 220 may includefunctionality similar or identical to that of transmitter 120. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, transmitter 220 is produced or manufacturedby a different manufacturer than transmitter 120, transmits signals at adifferent frequency than transmitter 120, and/or transmits signalsincluding codes different from those transmitted by transmitter 120.According to this embodiment, controller 110 provided in vehicle 100 isunable to recognize and/or interpret signals transmitted fromtransmitter 220. According to another exemplary embodiment, controller110 may be configured to recognize and/or interpret signals fromtransmitter 220. For example, the transmitter 220 may be produced by thesame manufacturer or use similar frequencies and/or codes as the firsttransmitter 120, such that controller 110 may be adapted for use withthe second transmitter 220.

While FIG. 1 shows transmitters 120 and 220 as having three inputdevices (shown as buttons) associated with three commands, a differentnumber of buttons and/or commands may be provided according to otherexemplary embodiments. For example, four or more or fewer than threebuttons may be provided. According to another exemplary embodiment, thenumber of commands that may be produced using a transmitter may differfrom the number of buttons provided on the transmitter. For example, twoor more input devices may be substantially simultaneously activated totransmit a particular signal to perform a particular function (e.g.,pressing buttons 122 and 124 may unlock a vehicle hood). In anotherexample, a sequence of input devices may be activated to transmit aparticular signal to perform a particular function. According to yetanother exemplary embodiment, the number and/or type of input devicesprovided on a first transmitter may differ from the number and/or typeof input devices provided on a second transmitter. According to stillyet another exemplary embodiment, the commands that may be transmittedusing a first transmitter may differ from those that may be transmittedusing a second transmitter. For example, a first transmitter may include“door lock,” “door unlock,” and “trunk open” commands, while a secondtransmitter may include only “door lock” and “door unlock” commands.Other variations are also possible, and the exemplary embodiment shownin FIG. 1 is not presented in limiting fashion.

Transmitters used with system 10 transmit signals having a particulardiscrete frequency that may be recognized by the controller (or atransceiver, as will be described below). According to an exemplaryembodiment, first transmitter 120 and second transmitter 220 transmitsignals having frequencies between approximately 200 and 900 kilohertz(kHz). According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of thetransmitters transmits signals having a frequency between approximately315 and 415 kHz.

According to an exemplary embodiment, signals transmitted from firsttransmitter 120 and/or second transmitter 220 are radio frequency (RF)signals. According to another exemplary embodiment, such RF signals areBluetooth-compatible signals (i.e., signals compatible with a Bluetoothcommunications protocol) and the transmitter associated with the signalsis a Bluetooth-compatible device. According to this embodiment, aBluetooth receiver is provided in a controller or a transceiver toreceive Bluetooth signals (e.g., a Bluetooth signal could be sent to atransceiver, which in turn transmits an RF signal to an RKE controller,as will be described below). According to various other exemplaryembodiments, infrared signals, laser beams, or other types of signalsmay be used.

Signals emitted by the transmitters 120, 220 also include a data codethat identifies the transmitter to a controller (or a transceiver). Suchcode may also include information representative of an input deviceactivated on the transmitter, which may be interpreted by thecontroller. The controller may then instruct a vehicle component (e.g.,a door lock) to perform a particular function. The data code may be anytype of serial encoded message. According to an exemplary embodiment,transmitter 120 and/or transmitter 220 transmit signals having a fixeddata code (e.g., an 8-bit data code). According to another exemplaryembodiment, transmitter 120 and/or transmitter 220 transmit signalshaving a “rolling” or changing data code, and/or an encrypted data code.Such rolling code may provide added security in that the transmitter andcontroller (or transceiver) are configured to utilize a data code thatvaries between uses. In this manner, it is intended that interceptingand using a particular signal transmitted to a vehicle is made moredifficult.

While FIG. 1 shows transmitters 120 and 220 implemented in the form ofkey fobs, other types of transmitters may also be used. According toother exemplary embodiments, any electronic device capable oftransmitting wireless signals to a controller provided in a vehicle maybe used as a transmitter (e.g., cellular phones, pagers, personaldigital assistants, etc.).

First transmitter 120 is initially configured to transmit signals tofirst controller 110, and second transmitter 220 is initially configuredto transmit signals to second controller 210. To allow secondtransmitter 220 to transmit signals to first controller 110 to performfunctions at first vehicle 100, a trainable transceiver 130 is providedin vehicle 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. According to ananother exemplary embodiment, a second trainable transceiver may beprovided in second vehicle 200 to allow a transmitter associated withvehicle 100 to transmit signals to a controller provided in vehicle 200.Programming and operation of such second trainable transceiver isaccomplished in a manner similar to that described below. According toyet another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the transmitters is anaftermarket transmitter that is not initially associated with aparticular vehicle but that a user may wish to associate with one ormore vehicles.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of trainable transceiver 130 accordingto an exemplary embodiment. Transceiver 130 may be, for example, aHOMELINK® transceiver commercially available from Johnson Controls, Inc.of Holland, Mich. and further configured in one of the exemplaryembodiments described below. According to an exemplary embodiment,transceiver 130 includes a receiver 131, a transmitter 132, atransmit/receive switch 133, a microprocessor 134, an antenna 135, atleast one actuator switch or button 136, and a vehicle system businterface 137. Other features and elements may also be provided in thetransceiver according to other exemplary embodiments. According to otherexemplary embodiments, other types of transceivers may be utilized.According to still other exemplary embodiments, a separate receiver andtransmitter may be provided in place of a single dual-functiontransceiver.

Microprocessor 134 can be a microcontroller, application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) or other digital and/or analog circuitryconfigured to perform the functions disclosed herein. In one embodiment,microprocessor 134 includes a memory (e.g., non-volatile memory)configurable with software to perform the functions disclosed herein.

Transceiver 130 may be positioned at any location within the vehiclepassenger compartment or elsewhere in vehicle 100. According to anexemplary embodiment, transceiver 130 is provided on a vehicle headlinertoward the front or forward portion of a vehicle passenger compartment.According to other exemplary embodiments, the transceiver may bepositioned elsewhere in the passenger compartment or vehicle interior(e.g., the visor, instrument panel, overhead compartment, etc.) where adriver and/or passenger may access the transceiver, or may be positionedin a trunk, engine compartment, or other location normally notaccessible by a driver and/or passenger.

Transceiver 130 is configured to operate in both a receiving mode and atransmitting mode. As a default condition, transceiver 130 is in thereceiving mode. When transceiver 130 receives an incoming signal from atransmitter (such as transmitter 120 or transmitter 220), receiver 131is configured to receive the incoming signal via antenna 135, demodulatethe data code from the signal, and provide the data code tomicroprocessor 134. Actuator switch 136 may be provided to allow a userto override the default receiving mode to transmit signals to varioushousehold devices (e.g., a garage door opener mechanism, a home lightingsystem, etc.) in accordance with other features provided by transceiver130. According to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of actuatorswitches may be provided such that each actuator switch is associatedwith a different channel or command for which the transceiver maytransmit a signal to a garage door opener, lighting system, or the like.

Transceiver 130 may be trained or programmed when in the receiving mode.To activate the training or programming mode, an actuator switch (e.g.,actuator switch 136) is depressed for a predetermined amount of time(e.g., 3 seconds). The training mode allows the user to program signalsfrom a transmitter (e.g., transmitter 120 or 220) into the transceivermemory. A transmitter is brought in the vicinity of transceiver 130 andan input device on the transmitter is activated to send a signal totransceiver 130, which decodes and stores information related to thereceived signal (e.g., frequency, modulation, data code, etc.).

To identify the carrier frequency of the received signal and to separateand store the transmitted data code, microprocessor 134 controls avoltage controlled oscillator (VCO) in transmitter 132 to generate areference signal that is mixed with the received signal. The resultingmixed signal is provided to a bandpass filter that passes a demodulatedsignal through to microprocessor 134 when the difference between thefrequency of the reference signal and the carrier frequency of thereceived signal is 3 MHz. Microprocessor 134 controls the VCO toincrement the frequency of the reference signal by 1 MHz untilmicroprocessor 134 detects and verifies the presence of data.Microprocessor 134 then verifies the carrier frequency of the receivedsignal by increasing the frequency of the reference signal by 3 MHz todetermine if the data is no longer present, and then increasing thefrequency of reference signal by another 3 MHz to determine if the datacan again be detected. After verifying the carrier frequency of thereceived signal, microprocessor 134 stores the carrier frequency and thedata code of the received signal and notifies the user of a successfultrain (e.g., by beeping or providing some other signal). According toother exemplary embodiments, other methods of training microprocessor134 to learn a carrier frequency of a signal transmitted by transmitters120 or 220 may be used. For example, microprocessor 134 can maintain alibrary of commonly-used or predetermined frequencies and check to seeif the incoming signal matches any of the predetermined frequencies.

First transmitter 120 is configured to transmit a signal 112 directly tocontroller 110. Controller 110 in turn recognizes signal 112 andinstructs a vehicle component 142 (e.g., a door lock, etc.) to perform afunction associated with such signal. Similarly, second transmitter 220is configured to transmit a signal 212 to second controller 210 invehicle 200.

To allow second transmitter 220 to transmit a signal to controller 110in first vehicle 100, transceiver 130 is programmed to send a signal tocontroller 110 to activate vehicle component 142 (e.g., by emulating ormimicking the signal 112 from first transmitter 120 or by sending asignal different than signal 112 to which controller 110 is responsive).Upon receipt of a signal from second transmitter 220, transceiver 130compares the signal to known signals and identifies that the receivedsignal corresponds to a pre-stored or predetermined signal. A signal isthen sent from transceiver 130 to controller 110 using transmitter 132(FIG. 2) and antenna 135. Controller 110 receives the signal fromtransceiver 130 and actuates vehicle component 142. According to anexemplary embodiment, the transceiver communicates with the controllerusing a wired communications link (e.g., the transceiver receives asignal from a controller and then communicates with the controller overa wired connection to actuate a vehicle component).

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 of programmingtrainable transceiver 130 according to an exemplary embodiment. In astep 310, a training mode is initiated by depressing actuator switch 136or by any other acceptable method.

In a step 320, transceiver 130 is trained to emulate at least a portionof signal 112 received from first transmitter 120. A first input device(e.g., one of buttons 122, 124, and 126) on first transmitter 120 isactivated to transmit signal 112 to transceiver 130. Microprocessor 134decodes the incoming signal and stores the representative information(e.g., frequency, data code, modulation type, and/or bitrate, etc.) inmemory as an emulation signal 114. Such emulation signal may then beassociated with a corresponding signal received from another transmitter(e.g., transmitter 220). According to an exemplary embodiment, emulationsignal 114 exactly emulates signal 112 (e.g., bit rate, modulation type,error correction scheme, frequency, data code, etc.). According toanother exemplary embodiment, the emulation signal emulates a portion ofsignal 112 (e.g., frequency and data code only, etc.). According toanother exemplary embodiment, the emulation signal is entirely differentfrom signal 112 (e.g., the controller recognizes that the emulation codeshould be interpreted as if signal 112 had been received, even thoughthe emulation signal differs from signal 112).

In a step 330, transceiver 130 is trained to associate a signal 116 fromsecond transmitter 220 with emulation signal 114. One of input devices222, 224, and 226 is activated to send signal 116 to transceiver 130.Microprocessor 134 decodes the incoming signal and stores therepresentative information in memory and associates signal 116 withemulation signal 114. When transceiver 130 is returned to the receivingmode, receipt of a signal 116 from second transmitter 220 causestransceiver 130 to wirelessly transmit emulation signal 114 tocontroller 110. Because emulation signal 114 mimics signal 112 or isotherwise recognized by controller 110, receipt of emulation signal 114causes controller 110 to perform the function associated with signal112. Controller 110 acts in the same manner as if signal 112 had beentransmitted to controller 110 from first transmitter 120. Transceiver130 thus emulates the transmission of a signal from first transmitter120 in response to a different signal received from second transmitter220.

A decision step is presented in step 340 to allow a user to train orprogram transceiver 130 to recognize another signal from transmitter 220(or from another transmitter) to emulate another signal provided bytransmitter 120. If further training is desired, steps 320 and 330 maybe repeated until the desired programming is complete. If no furthertraining is desired, transceiver 130 returns to operational mode inwhich transceiver 130 is configured to receive signals from atransmitter (e.g., transmitter 220) and in response send an emulationsignal to controller 110.

While the method 300 of training transceiver 130 has been described withreference to a particular exemplary embodiment, other programmingmethods may be used. According to another exemplary embodiment, a signalfrom a second transmitter (e.g., the signal that is received andtransformed or converted to an emulation signal by the transceiver) maybe transmitted to the transceiver prior to transmission of a signal froma first transmitter (i.e., the signal that is emulated by thetransceiver).

According to another exemplary embodiment, more than one signal may besent from a first transmitter before transmission of signals from asecond transmitter. For example, three signals from a first transmittermay be received by the transceiver (which stores them as emulationsignals), after which three signals from a second transmitter arereceived. The first signal transmitted from the second transmitter isassociated with the first emulation signal, the second signal from thesecond transmitter is associated with the second emulation signal, andthe third signal from the second transmitter is associated with thethird emulation signal. Any number of signals from the first transmittermay be transmitted prior to transmission of signals by the secondtransmitter.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the training mode may bediscontinuous. For example, the transceiver may be programmed with aplurality of signals (e.g., in a particular sequence) to emulate signalsfrom the first transmitter (e.g., signal 1 represents the “unlock doors”signal, signal 2 represents the “lock doors” signal, and signal 3represents the “unlock trunk” signal). A user may later (e.g., hours,days, or weeks later, etc.) wish to associate signals from a secondtransmitter with the emulation signals pre-programmed into thetransceiver. The training mode may then be activated, after which theuser could transmit signals from the second transmitter to thetransceiver. The signals from the second transmitter are thenautomatically associated with a corresponding emulation signal in theorder the emulation signals were originally programmed into thetransceiver.

According to still yet another exemplary embodiment, various buttons orswitches included in a vehicle-mounted controller may be associated withvarious emulation signals programmed into a transceiver (e.g., a firstbutton is associated with a first emulation signal corresponding to afirst signal received from a first transmitter). To program thetransceiver to emulate a particular signal in response to the receipt ofa different signal from a second transmitter, the button associated witha particular emulation signal is pressed by a user, after which the usermay press a corresponding button on the second transmitter to transmit asignal to the transceiver. In this manner, a number of emulation signalsmay be programmed into the transceiver and subsequently associated withsignals from a second transmitter without regard to the order theemulation signals were programmed into the transceiver. Other methods oftraining or programming the transceiver to emulate signals from a firsttransmitter upon receipt of signals received from a second transmittermay be used according to other exemplary embodiments without departingfrom the scope of the inventions as described herein.

While the above description refers only to the use of first and secondtransmitters, additional transmitters may also be provided. For example,where signals from a first transmitter are emulated by a transceiver,signals from both a second and third transmitter may be received by thetransceiver (which in turn sends emulation signals to the controller).Thus, a single emulation signal programmed into the transceiver may beassociated with a signal from both the second transmitter and the thirdtransmitter (and other transmitters if the transceiver is so trained).One advantageous feature of such an arrangement is that multipleadditional users (e.g., members of a family) having transmitters fordifferent vehicles may each provide signals to a controller of aparticular vehicle without having to carry a transmitter for eachvehicle. Any number of transmitters may be used according to otherexemplary embodiments.

The signal transmitted from the second transmitter may or may notcorrespond in function to the emulation signal transmitted by thetransceiver. According to an exemplary embodiment, the emulation signaland the signal from the second transmitter correspond in function. Forexample, a “lock doors” emulation signal programmed into the transceivermay correspond to a “lock doors” signal received from a secondtransmitter. According to another exemplary embodiment, an emulationsignal and a signal from a second transmitter associated with theemulation signal have different functions. For example, a “lock doors”emulation signal may correspond to an “unlock doors” signal receivedfrom the second transmitter.

According to another exemplary embodiment, signals from two inputdevices on a second transceiver may trigger the transceiver to send thesame emulation signal to the first controller (e.g., pressing both the“unlock doors” and “unlock trunk” buttons on the second transmitter maycause the transceiver to send an “unlock doors” emulation signal to acontroller).

In operational mode, transceiver 130 emulates signals from a transmitterassociated with vehicle 100 in response to a signal from transmitter 220(or another transmitter not associated with vehicle 100). Microprocessor134 periodically checks whether an RF signal has been received from atransmitter. To determine whether an RF signal has been received,microprocessor 134 scans a range of frequencies to identify an incomingsignal. According to another exemplary embodiment, microprocessor 134tunes receiver 131 to a signal having a known frequency and awaits anincoming signal. Once a signal is received, microprocessor 134 comparesthe received data to the predetermined data code associated with knowntransmitters and wirelessly transmits an appropriate emulation signal tocontroller 110 after determining that the received data code is the sameas that previously stored in microprocessor 134 and associated with aparticular emulation signal.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of theelements shown and described is illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible without materially departing fromthe novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited herein.For example, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or methodsteps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissionsmay be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of thepreferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from thescope of the present invention.

1. A wireless control system for a vehicle comprising: a controllerprovided in a vehicle for controlling a vehicle component in response toa first signal transmitted from a first wireless transmitter; and atransceiver provided in the vehicle and configured to associate, duringa training process, at least a portion of the first signal with a signalreceived from a second wireless transmitter; wherein the transceiver isfurther configured to receive a second signal from the second wirelesstransmitter, the second signal differing from the first signal; whereinthe transceiver is configured to transmit a third signal to thecontroller in response to the second signal based on the associationlearned during the training process, the third signal emulating at leastthe portion of the first signal.
 2. The wireless control system of claim1, wherein the controller is configured to control the vehicle componentin response to the third signal.
 3. The wireless control system of claim1, wherein the transceiver transmits the third signal via a wiredcommunication link.
 4. The wireless control system of claim 1, whereinthe transceiver transmits the third signal via a wireless communicationlink.
 5. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the thirdsignal is identical to the first signal.
 6. The wireless control systemof claim 1, wherein the third signal includes at least a portion of adata code included in the first signal.
 7. The wireless control systemof claim 1, wherein the first signal and the second signal have at leastone of different data codes and different carrier frequencies.
 8. Thewireless control system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver isprogrammed to associate the second signal with the third signal suchthat the third signal is transmitted in response to the second signal.9. The wireless control system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver isconfigured to transmit the third signal in response to a fourth signaltransmitted from a third transmitter, the fourth signal being differentfrom the first signal and the second signal.
 10. The wireless controlsystem of claim 1, wherein the first transmitter and the secondtransmitter provide remote keyless entry signals.
 11. The wirelesscontrol system of claim 1, wherein the first signal and the secondsignal are transmitted as one of radio frequency signals,Bluetooth-compatible signals, infrared signals, and laser beams.
 12. Thewireless control system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is providedin a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
 13. The wireless controlsystem of claim 1, wherein first wireless transmitter and the secondwireless transmitter are produced by different manufacturers.
 14. Thewireless control system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle component isselected from a remote keyless entry system, a window, a horn, a light,a radio, a seat, a mirror, an air conditioning system, and a vehiclesecurity system.
 15. A method of controlling a vehicle systemcomprising: receiving a first signal from a first wireless transmitter;associating the first signal with a signal from a second wirelesstransmitter during a training process; and in response to the firstsignal, transmitting a second signal to a controller configured tooperate a vehicle system in response to the second signal, the secondsignal being different from the first signal; whereby the first wirelesstransmitter may be used to operate the vehicle system without directlytransmitting the second signal to the controller; wherein the secondsignal emulates at least a portion of a third signal that may betransmitted from the second wireless transmitter, the third signal beingdifferent from the first signal.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein thecontroller is also configured to actuate the vehicle system in responseto the third signal.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the secondsignal emulates the entire third signal.
 18. The method of claim 15,wherein the first and third signals have at least one of different datacodes and different carrier frequencies.
 19. The method of claim 15,wherein at least one of the first wireless transmitter and the secondwireless transmitter are selected from a pager, a cellular phone, and apersonal digital assistant.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein thesecond signal is transmitted to the controller over a wired connection.21. The method of claim 15, wherein the second signal is transmitted tothe controller over a wireless connection.
 22. The method of claim 15,wherein the vehicle system comprises at least one of a remote keylessentry system, a window, a horn, a light, a radio, a seat, a mirror, anair conditioning system, and a vehicle security system.
 23. A method ofprogramming a vehicle keyless entry system to operate in response tosignals received from multiple wireless transmitters, the methodcomprising: receiving a first signal from a first wireless transmitterat a transceiver, the first signal configured to cause a controller toactuate vehicle door locks; storing at least a portion of the firstsignal as an emulation signal; receiving a second signal from a secondwireless transmitter at the transceiver, the second signal beingdifferent from the first signal; and associating the second signal withthe emulation signal such that upon receipt of the second signal, thetransceiver transmits the emulation signal to the controller to causethe controller to actuate the vehicle door locks.
 24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the first wireless transmitter is associated with afirst vehicle and the second wireless transmitter is associated with asecond vehicle.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the emulation signalis transmitted via a wireless connection to the controller.
 26. Themethod of claim 23, wherein the emulation signal is transmitted via awired connection to the controller.
 27. The method of claim 23, whereinthe first signal and the second signal have different data codes. 28.The method of claim 23, wherein the first signal and the second signalhave different carrier frequencies.
 29. The method of claim 23, whereinthe emulation signal is identical to the first signal.
 30. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the transceiver is provided in a vehicle passengercompartment.